C-Forum

Hey all,
Last night I went down to the local play wave to surf a bit. On my first ride I flipped, rolled up and my skirt had imploded, so I sunk. Well trying to get out of my boat I got stuck and struggled for about 100 yards to get out of the boat. Meanwhile there were 3 kayaks just sitting in the eddy waiting to get on the wave, not one of them attempted to help me. by the time I actually got out of my boat and to shore my paddle was a ways down stream so I left it. I hiked back up to the wave and pretty much yelled at the other boaters for not lending a hand and clearly not even paying attention. One of the guys actually said he thought it looked like my foot was stuck in my boat--Why then did he not help. So I raced downstream, jumped back in the river (very cold right now) and retrieved my paddle. I then drove back to the wave to apologize and reiterate my point that people have to pay attention--this was not the first time I have seen someone struggling and no one attempt to help, in fact I actually heard someone say they don't chase swimmers because they don't want to get out of their boat and hike back up to the wave. So I confronted some of the boaters that were there and one of them said to me that "I would be more likely to pay attention to someone if they showed and said hey whats up". So I didn't instantly make friends with the guy when I put on the river, does that warrant him to not help a fellow "paddler" in distress? Anyway I just want to get people opinions on this matter and see if any of you have been witness to similar situations and if so what you did.
Thanks
B

Hey B,

One of the guys actually said he thought it looked like my foot was stuck in my boat--Why then did he not help.

there's a 5 step process to someone actually helping and he was on step two....realizing it might be a situation and if it was an emergency.....basic sociology...no malance or indifference involved

somewheres between second 5 when you realized I'm in trouble and second 10 you haven't surfaced yet he's got to decide if this stranger needs my help and am I pinching in on him if I offer and hey buddies what do you think and what can I do?

next time, make contact so that people relate you to their group and are more conginsant of your movements....
paddlers will help anyone but it helps if you make the effort to de-isolate yourself....
paddlers alone are viewed as independent minded.
Two cents

By my formula, they should have come to your rescue.

If I see someone flip on a wave and then swim, my first thought is whether it's a self rescue situation. The fact that you struggled and drifted 100 yards would indicate to me that it was NOT a self rescue situation and that you needed some help.

I agree though it's always good to be friendly with people you're sharing an eddy with. Or a river. And that some part of the paddler's creed should be to help others as you would like to be helped in similar situations.

They definitely should have helped you out if they saw they were stuck in your boat.

But....maybe this means you need to fix your outfitting and/or get something wither a bigger cockpit than your X. If it was a big deal to swim at the Wave, think about how it could've gone on the Lochsa!

I'm glad to hear your okay and this is a good eye opener for me. I was planning on doing some park and play with my sketchy lap belt, but I think I'll try and get some thigh straps and hip grabbers in tonight!

Thanks B, it was great paddling with you and Ben. I think I might make it back to the Lochas next weekend. If not, think about the NF Clearwater for Memorial Day.

Gabe

you should work on bein able to get out of your boat by yourself. I wouldn't count on someone to help, what about the times you are paddlin alone, beside do you really want help from a kayaker? I rather do it alone myself

thanks guys,
"Oops" I actually wasn't in the X I was in my Big Wheel which "Louie" this is the first time I have ever had a problem getting out of, and I don't paddle alone. I may go to the wave alone but there is always someone there. "Gail" Its not like I didn't acknowledge the others that were down there in fact I knew one of the others and was having a conversation with her until it was my turn to surf. My main frustration is that the one guy who said it looked like my foot was stuck was the same one that made the comment about saying hello, and we did acknowledge each other. I don't want to rant so I will stop, thanks for the comments. Had my other friends have some nuts and actually go paddling sometimes I would have had some help, I think
Thanks
B

The way I see it is that I wholeheartedly agree with Milkman's posted comments, with Louie's post as a p.s. I really try to be self reliant out there, but stuff happens. I am glad to see when others are ready to assist; needed or not. Glad to hear twasn't any worse.
my 2cents

maybe I just paddle in crowded areas?
my perception has been people look first to see if you're crew will take care of you and if you're in distress will assist.
I've helped and been helped.
I'd have gone after you once I realized you're in trouble but have to be honest, the more people around the longer that takes. I usually go for the lost gear; it's pretty easy to tell a paddle needs rescuing
anyways glad you're ok

Hi !

I you show up alone at a play spot and don't make contact with other boaters, don't rely on them for help, especially if they're double bladders

Showing up alone means you're autonomous and should have bomb proof roll, unless an accident happens, you shouldn't need any help...Otherwise, you shouldn't be there on your own, go with friends and have a plan for swimmers.

If I see other OC's(or C's) at a play spot I will go to them and chat for sure There are so little of us I will then judge the level of paddler they are and act accordingly if they tip.

If a double bladder tips I won't bother, unless he/she is in trouble, they typically roll easily and don't need our help.

I do find anoying running after swimmers who don't have a B plan , it ruins my play time...

Play safe !

Once paddled with world famous southern open boater who said, "I don"t expect help from the people I paddle with and I don't paddle with people who expect help from me".

If it were only that easy! But there's a difference between what you expect and what you may need. Accidents happen.

I think we focus more on whether or not we can help others (i.e., we can control what training, skills and behaviours we have), but it's also worth thinking about whether or not those in your group (or others on the river) have the ability to recognize and resolve something that might happen to you!

Especially if a group relies on 1 or 2 advanced boaters to carry the key gear and lead the required rescues, that's risky. Expect nothing, sure. But if somebody really truly needs help, everybody should be able to help everybody.

PY.

Ihelp`em all less their the one`s turnin me over hehehe

Sad to say that in this "its all about me" world, there are many boaters out there who just figure that if you swim, then that's just more play time for them. Why would they want to use up their precious time on you.

Being a considerate paddler is the same as being a considerate driver. You have to slow down and watch out for the other guy. It all boils down to what is more important to you: getting a good rush from a good ride on the wave, or getting a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that you have helped a fellow paddler who was in trouble.

I believe that clinics do not stress river ethics & safety enough. Be considerate of other paddlers. If someone is in trouble, go help them. After all, the paddling community is just one big happy family, isn't it?

T.Prater

that's bad karma,what's goes around, comes around... one day they'll be on the receiving end, and then maybe they'll help the next time...

i'm ok watching someone swim, but i still check to make sure they're ok